Portioning mechanism



J. F. WINELAND.

PORTIONING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED Nov.25, I9I9.

PaIenIed. Nov. I, 1921.,

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- Nvi TDR 'W- s S WMF J. F. WINELAND.

PORTIONING MECHANISNI.

APPLICATION FILED Nov.z5. 1919.

Patented Nov. l, 1921.

SHEETS-SHEE 2.

J. F. WINELAND.

PORTIONING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED Nov.25.1919.

Patented Nov. 1, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Lsggm,

STATES UNL'E'E rarer Eric.

PORTIONING MECHANISM.

assente.

Specification of Letters Patenti y Patented Nov. t, 1912i,

Application led November 25, 1919. Serial No. 340,560.

T (LIZ whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN F. WINELAND, a citizen of the United States, and residing in the borough of Grafton, county of Allegheny, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented on discovered new and useful lmy provements in Portioning Mechanism, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention consists in a new and improved portioning machine for dispensing butter and other substances. l

Generally speaking, it comprises one or more dispensing containers or tubes provided with openings for the discharge of their contents either by gravity or other influence, said openings being normally sealed, to hold the contents retracted; by a surface along which. the containers travel, said surface being provided with an interruption or aperture, which, when the dischar e opening of a container registers therewit permits the protrusion of the contents thereof; and cutting means actuated by the further travel of the container which slices off the protruding part of the contents of said container to form a portion which is dis-4 charged from the machine while the container moves once more into sealing contact with said surface.

Means are provided for limiting the protrusion of the butter or other product when the container registers with the .aperture in ,the sealing surface, thus determining the thickness of the portion to be sliced, and

such means may be adjustable so that the quantity served as a portion may be varied, as desired.

The severing or slicing means may be a fixed knife extending transversely across the aperture in the path of the container, so that as the container moves out of registration with the supporting and limitin means, said knife is caused to slice throug the protruding butter, or, if desired the edge of the surface forming the rear end of the aperture may be sharpened to form the cutting edge.

ln the preferred form of my invention, illustrated in the drawings, a plurality ofI vertically disposed dispensing tubes are mounted concentrically on a rotary frame which may be conveniently in the form kof an ice or other refrigerant tank, for keeping the contents of the tubes properly chilled.

Each tube is adapted to contain a slab of butter or other substance to be portoned, the lower end of the tube forming its discharge opening, and said discharge openings being normally sealed by the contact o-f the lower ends of the tubes with a smooth surface over which said ends travel and which seals the tubes against the downward protrusion of the butter slabs therefrom. To insure the proper sealing and to prevent wear from rendering the same ineffective, l prefer toI support the frame by the contact of the tubes with said sealing surface, rotary motion being applied axially to the frame. At one point in the path of said tubes said surface is provided with an aperture or interruption, which results in the slab protruding downwardly from its tube whenthe lower end of said tube registers with said aperture, the protrusion of the slab being limited by a spacing shelf extending beneath the aperture, with which the descending slab contacts to limit its movement. The far end of the aperture is provided with fixed cutting means, which may be either a knife blade or simply the sharply beveled edge of the sealing surface, so that when the tube next moves, as the protruding end o-f its slab passes off .the spacing shelf it comes into contact with the fixed cutting means, which means is thus caused to slice through the protruding butt of the slab, thus severing a portion which drops down onto a waiting butter plate, while the slab, now sliced off even with the lower end of said tube, is again supported and held retracted by the sealing surface as the tube resumes sliding contact therewith. Thus by the intermittent rotation of the tube support, to form portions as need requires, the slab of each tube in turn i's caused to descend and protrude below the tube by the registration of the tube with the portioning aperture, and upon the next movement of the support, said protrusion is sliced off by the cutting edge at the rear end of the aperture, the portion dropping down onto the waiting butter plate, while the tube again resumes sealing contact with the surface, its slab being thus held retracted until the tube again in turn registers with the aperture.

Means are provided whereby, as individual portions are required, as for instance for patrons in a restaurant, the necessary rotary motion is imparted to the tube support to slice ofil a port-ion of butter; means are also provided for halting the movement at the proper moment to insure accurate operation, and means are also provided whereby a cutting movement must be com.- pleted and a portion severed, before another actuating motion can be imparted to the machine.

Other novel features of construction and arrangement of parts will appear from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, which are merely intended to illustrate the principles of my invention without limiting the scope 'of the same to the construction shown,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portioning machine embodying the principles of my invention, the structure being partially broken away in section to more clearly show the parts; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same `with the lid removed; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the mechanism for locking the tube support against excess forward movement, the same being in section along the line III-III in Fig. 5; and the lever being indicated at the end of its reverse movement; F'g. 4 is a similar view alongv the line IV-IV in Fig. 5, showing the mechanism for moving the tube support, the lever being indicated at the end of its forward or cutting movement; Fig. 5 is a detail, partially in vertical section showing the mounting of the rotary support and the pawl and gear mechanism through which the necessaryv movement is imparted to said support; Fig.

6 is a broken inverted plan view of the casing floor, as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a detail in vertical section showing a tube in registration with the portioning aperture with its slab protruding and supported by the spacing shelf and the previously severed portion dislodged by the protruding slab and falling onto a waiting butter plate, the slicin the e ge of the sealing surface; Fig. 8 is a broken horizontal section through the mair.

- casing and the rotary support; the cutting means being shown as formed by preferably omitted at the front of the ma chine to permit the insertion of butter plates to catch the portions as the same are severed. B is the main casing having a circular outer wall 3 which is shown as telescoping down over the wall 2 and secured thereto by screws 4. If desired, the base and casing may be made integral, but I prefer to 'make them .separate and detachably connected together so that the machine can be readily cleansed and repaired. C is a head fixed in the lower portion o the casing B, said head being circular except for a quadrantal recess in the front portion thereof, the walls of said recess being defined by an upwardly extending edge flange 5. 6 is an integral bridge which spans the mouth of said recess, said bridge being superimposed on the flange 5, and thus completing the perimeter of said head at a higher elevation than the body of said head. The head C is further provided with a circular hole 7 at its center surrounded by an upwardly extending annular collar 8, stepped back from said opening and of the same height as the flange E is a circular floor plate mounted on and preferably soldered to the flange 5 and the Collar 8, and provided with a perimetral upwardly turned flange 9. 10 is the circular inner wall of the casing B, secured at its top/to the top of the outer wall 3 by means of an interposed annular head 11 and having its bottom edge secured to the outer face of the flange 9 of the floor E. At nthe front the flanged edge of said floor is in contact with the inner curved edge of the bridge 6, and may be soldered thereto. The spacebetween the head C and the floor E and between the walls 3 and 10 may be filled with cork 12, or stime other suitable heat insulating materia F is a removable lid for the casing B,

a tank in which may be placed a supply of refrigerant forkeeping the slabs of butter, or other substance contained in the tubes, in

proper condition for dispensing. The tubes may be of4 any desired number. 'I have shown, for the sake of illustration, nine tubes equally spaced around the tank. As a convenient manner offmountin the tubes, I form the bottom ofthe tank o a head 13 of greater diameter than the tank and having a rotar fit within the wall 10 of the casing B. he protruding portion of said head is provided with apertures through which the lower ends of said tubes .depend into contact with the floor E. The upper fio ends of said tubes may be secured in suit-y able apertures in an annular head 14 secured circumferentially of the tank G. The tubes may-be soldered or otherwise secured in place. The tubes are open at their ends and are adapted to containvslabs 15 of butter or other substance to be dispensed. I have shown the cross sectional shape of said tubes as square but any desired shape which will allow of the free downward movement of the slabs may be adopted.

The lower, discharge ends of said tubes are squared off to maintain close, sliding contact with the floor E .which is polished nickel or otherwise provided with a smooth surface so that as the ends of said tubes travel along said floor, said floor will seal the lower ends of said tubes against the downward protrusion of the slabs, the butter thus being supported in the tubes by the floor. The floor plate may advantageously be made of solid nickel with its surface highly polished.

To prevent an impairment of such sealing action by the Wear on the tubes or floor, l

fsupport the tank on the tubes, imparting the rotary movement to the tank and tubes at the axis of the tank from below in the following manner. Thus the ends of the tubes are always maintained in close contact withthe floor.

16 is a bushing having an enlarged head which depends through the axial hole in the floor E and fits' in the collar 8, the bore of the bushing forming an upward continuation ofthe hole 7 in the head C. 17 is a second bushing suspended in the bushing 156 and hole 7 by its enlarged head and having its lower protruding end threaded. The bushing 17 is thus journaled in a vertical bearing.

18 is a cylindrical spindle secured axially to the bottom of the tank Gr and depending through the bushing 17. The bottom of said tank is provided with a hole registering with the bore of spindle 1.8 for draining the tank through said spindle. The lower protruding end of the said spindle 18 is threaded.

The-spindle 18 is -made to rotate with the bushing 17 by means of a radial key 19 on the head of the bushing engaging a radial slot 20 in the head of the spindle.

At the front of the machine the ioor E is apertured above the quadrantal recess in the head C, in the track of the tubes H. Said aperture is marked 21. Thus in turn the i lower, discharge end of each of the tubes is brought into registration with said recess 21, thus removing the support for the lower ends of the slabs 15 and permitting them in turn to drop down in said tubes. To limit the protrusion of the slabs from the tubes, T provide a spacing shelf 22 secured to the under side of the head C and extending under the aperture 21, so that as a tube is` moved into registration with said aperture and its slab drops, the butt end of said slab engages said shelf and the protrusion of said slab is thus limited. At the other or rear end of the aperture is a fixed knife 23 removably mounted on the under side of the bridge 6 and on a struck u bracket 24 on the floor C. The top sur ace of said knife is on a level with the top surface of the floor E. Thus as the tube which has moved into registry with the aperturei 21 again moves, the protruding butt ofv its slab, as it leaves the shaft 22 is sliced through by the knife 23, the severed portion dropping down onto the waiting butter plate I, while the shortened slab is supported by the knife in the tube until said tube reass'umes contact withv the floor E which then again seals the tube and supports the slab therein until the tube once more registers with the aperture 21, when the protrusion and slicing off of the butt of the slab is repeated. It is evidentthat the elevation of the shelf 22 will determine the thickness of the portion severed from the slab, and T therefore prefer to provide several shelves with a machine so that any desired ,thickness of portion vmay be adopted by installing the proper shelf.

The aperture 21 is of the proper extent to allow for the dropping of the slab when a tube moves into registration with the aperture without interference with the knife, but as the slab begins to move off the shelf during the next movement of the tubes, it comes into contact with the knife or cutting edge, as shown in Fig. 7.

Tn case the sliced off portion should tend to stick, the descent of the slab in the next succeeding tube will knock the portion loose and cause Vit to fall into the butter plate I, as indicated in dotted lines at 15a in Fig. 7.

In Figs. 7 and 8, T have shown the floor E provided with a knife edge 25EL which takes the lace of a separate knife. To

rovide su cient clearance for the butt of Y the slab, while being severed, I make the aperture 21 in the floor E of less length than the width of the quadrantal recess in the head C, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

It is thus evident that by means of intermittent rotary movements of .the tank and tubes, shown as clockwise in the machine illustrated in the drawings, the tubes will in turn register with the aperture in the sealing Hoor, causing the butts of their butter slabs to protrude, and upon the next movement sald .protruding butts will be sliced ofi', while the shortened slabs will again be supported in the tubes by the pass- 1n intgo sealing contact with the floor E. The movement in each case is equal tothe distance between centers of ad'acent tubes.

As a convenient .means for enabling the once more of the lower ends of the tubeson the bushing 17 between said gears, which lever extends radially through a horizontally extended slot 30 in the wall of casing B and is provided at its outer end with a grasping handle 31.

32 is a nut screwed on the lower end of bushing 17 to hold the gears and the lever in place, and 33 is a stop cock screwed onto the -lower end of the spindle 18 to control the escape `of liquid from the tank G, and also serving to hold the spindle in proper position in the bushing, thus steadyin the movement of the tank and tubes. T e teeth of lthe two ratchet gears are equal in number and also equal to the number of the tubes H.

34 is a pawl pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on a post 35 depending from the head C and held in resilient engagement with the perimeter of the gearf25 by means of a spring 36 mountedon a stud 37 deending from said head, and held in place y a second stud 38 also depending from the head C. It is evident that when said pawl engages a tooth of the gear 25the tubes H are locked against clockwise movement.

39 is a pin extending upwardly from the lever 29 and contacting with the tail ofv pawl 34, the pawl being so curved that as the lever reaches the end of its counterclockwise swing, after? completing an actuating or rclockwise movement, the pawl is moved out of contact with the gear 25, thus unlocking the tubes for the nextforward or clockwise movement.

40 is a pawl pivoted to the under side of the lever 29 and held a ainst the perimeter of the gear 28 by a sprlng 41. Thus when the pawl 40 engages one of the teeth of said gear, a clockwise movement of the lever 29 will result in a similar movement of the tubes H for a distance equal to the distance between the centers of adjacent tubes, the movement being terminated when the pawl 34 drops into engagement with a tooth of the gear 25. The return of the lever in a counterclockwise directionis unobstructed, the pawl 40 trailing along the perimeter of the gear 28 until it drops into engagement with the next tooth, ready to rotate the tubes H upon the next clockwise movement of t.e lever.

The various portions of the machine are so proportioned and assembled that at each clockwise movement of the lever, a tube- 1s brought into registration with the s aclng shelf, causing its slab to protrude, an upon the next clockwise( movement of the lever the protruding butt of the slab is sliced olf, the portion thus formed droplping down upon the waiting butter plate while the slab, which has been sliced olf even with the end of the tube, passes on, once more held retracted inthe tube by contact with the floor E. It is evident that no excess forward movement of the tubes is possible owing to the action of the locking pawl 34, so that the tubes are at all times accurately spotted. It is also evident that when a forward movement is once begun, the same must be finished before a second forward movement can be started owing to the fact that until the forwardmovement is completed, a reverse movement of the lever would not set the machine for a second: forward movement, as the necessary gear tooth would not have been turned as yet into position to be engaged by the pawl 40. Thus no clog 'ng of the machine is possible through care essness.

Should the severed portion cling depending from the knife edge, the butt of the slab, in the next succeeding tube, as it 4drops down on the spacing shelf will knock the portion loose. Thus the delivery ofthe severed portion is assured.

To assist gravity in causing the slabs tol drop as the tubes in turn register with the spacing shelf, I prefer to provide` weights J of proper shape to ride on top ofthe slabs 15 in the tubes H. These wei hts are anchored by chains 42 to the tank vent their' dropping down through the ends of the tubes.

If the tank G is provided with the proper amount of refrigerant, the slabs 15 will be kept in condition to slide freely in the tubes H. l l The tubes H may be refilled when partly or entirely empty, the weights J being first lifted out. If the tubes are vall filled at the same time, all will be emptied during the last.

complete rotation of the tank, and thus all will be ready for refilling at one time.

Although in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, agravity feed is used for dispensing the slabs, it is evident that any character ofpressure or force for protruding the slabs at the proper moments'from their containers may be used without departing from the scope of my invention. In such case, of course, the dispensing tubes or other containers need not e vertically or downwardly disposed as where gravity feed is used. However, I prefer the gravity feed owing to the fact that no unnatural compression or squeezing of the butter results. This avoids loss in to preweight and volume, a serious objection to the use of other power than gravity for delivering the butter from its container. I have shown the dispensing containers as open ended tubes of constant cross-sectional shape, but, it will be understood that where other means than gravity is used to cause the protrusion of the substance from the container, the shape of the container may be varied.

In Figs. 11 and 12 I-show the spacingv shelf 22 made adjustable, so that the thickness of theportions sliced may be regulated, as desired'. Thus the shelf is provided with opposed vertical slots 42 which engage the slideways or guides 48 mounted on the head C. 44; is a thumb bolt extending through a threaded 'hole -in the shelf member and adaptedjto be screwed against the adjacent portion of the flange 5 of the head C to lock the shelf stationary at any desired elevation.

The action of my machine is rapid and positive. It is entirely sanitary, as the human hand does not come into contact with the 'individual portion. Furthermore the portions are accurately measured, and are therefore uniform in size, thus avoiding waste.

Although, for thesake of clearness, l have described in detail the embodiment of the principles of my invention shown in the drawings, l do not wish to limit myself thereby, but claim broadly:

l. ln a portioning machine, the combination of a dispensing container adapted to contain 'a quantity of the substance to be portioned and provided with a discharge opening, a surface adapted to seal said discharge opening against the protrusion of said substance, said surface being interrupted, means for providing relative movement between said container and said surface, means whereby when said surface is out of contact with said opening the contents of said container will be protruded from said container beyond the plane of said surface, and means, actuated by the next subsequent relative movement, for slicing off the protruding substance to form a portion.

2. ln a portioning machine, the combination of a dispensing container yadapted to' contain a quantity of the substance to be portioned and provided with a' discharge opening,a surface adapted to seal said discharge opening against the protrusion of said substance, said surface being interrupted, means for providing relative vmovement between said container and said surface means whereby when said surface is out of contact with said opening the contents of said container will be protruded from said container beyond the plane of said surface, means for limiting the extent of said protrusion, and means, actuated by vthe next subsef quent relative movement, for slicing olf the protruding substance to form a portion.

3. In a portioning machine, the combination of a dispensing container adapted to contain a quantity of the substance to be portioned and provided with a discharge opening, a surface adapted to seal said opening against the protrusion of said substance, said container being movable in relation to said surface and said surface being provided with an aperture in the path of said discharge opening, means whereby when said opening registers with said aperture the contents of said container will be protruded from said container beyond the plane of saidsurface, and means, actuated by the'next subsequent relative movement, for slicing off said protruding substance to form a portion.

4. in a portioning machine, the combination of'a dispensing container adapted to contain a quantity of the substance to be portioned and provided with a discharge opening, a surface adapted to seal said opening against the protrusion of said substance, said container being movable in relation to said surface and said surface being provided with an aperture in the path of said discharge opening, means whereby when said opening registers with said aperture the contents of said container will be protruded from said container beyond the plane of said surface, and means operated by the nextv subsequent movement of said container for slicing olf said protruding substance to form a portion.

5. ln a portioningmachine, the combina'- tion of a dispensing container adapted to contain a quantity of the substance to be portioned and provided with a discharge opening, a surface adapted to seal said opening against the protrusion of said substance, said container being movable in relation to said surface and said surface being provided with an aperture in the path ofsaid discharge opening, means whereby when said opening registers with said aperture the contents of said container will be protruded from said container beyond the plane of said surface, means for limiting the extent of such protrusion, andmeans, actuated by the next subsequent movementl of said container, for slicing ofi' the protruding substance to fo-rm a portion.

6. In a portioning machine, the combination of a dispensing container adapted to contain a quantity of the substance to be portioned and provided with a discharge opening, a surface adapted to seal said opening against the protrusion of said substance, sald container being movable in relation to said lsurface and said surface being provided with an aperture in the path of said discharge opening, means whereby when said opening registers with said aperture liti the contentsvv of said container will be protruded from said container beyond the plane of said surface, means for llmlting the extent of such protrusion, and means foperated.

by the next subsequent movement of said container for slicing ofi' the protruding substance to form a portion. t 7. In a portionlng machine, the combination of a dispensing tube adapted to contain a quantity of the substance to be dispensed, the lower end of said tube being open for the discharge of its contents, a plane surface over which the discharge end of said tube is caused to move whereby said surface seals said tube against the protrusion of its contents, said surface being provided with an aperture, means whereby when the discharge end of said tube registers with said aperture the contents of said tube will be protruded fromy said container beyond the plane of said surface, and means, `actuated by the next subsequent movement of said container, for slicing oii' `the protruding substance to form a portion.

8. In a portioning machine, the combination of a dispensing tube adapted to contain a quantity of the substance to be dispensed, the lower end of said tube being open for the discharge of its contents, a plane surface over which the .discharge end of said tube is caused/to move whereby said sur-y face seals said tube against the protrusion ofits contents, said surface being provided with an aperture, means whereby when the discharge end of said tube registers with' said aperture the contents of said tube will.

be protruded from said container beyond the plane of said surface, means for limiting such protrusion, and means, actuated bythe next subsequent movement of said container, for slicing oi the protruding substance to form a portion.

9. In a portioning machine, the combination of a dispensing tube adapted to contain a quantity of the substance to be dispensed,

the lower end of said tube being open for the discharge of its contents, a plane surface over which the discharge end of said Atube is caused to move whereby said surface seals said tube against the protrusion of its contents, said surface being provided with an aperture, means whereby when the discharge end. of said tube registers with said aperture the contents of said tube will be protruded from said container beyond the plane of said surface, and means operated by the next subsequent movement of said tube for slicing off the protruding substance to form av portion.

' 10. In a portioning machine, the combination of a dispensing tube adapted to containa quantity of the substance to be dispensed, the lower end of said tube being open. for the. discharge of its contents, a plane surface over which the discharge end of said tube is caused to move whereby said lnext subsequent movement of said tube for slicing off the protruding substance to form a portion. l

11. In a portioning machine, the combination ofl a dispensing tube adapted to contain a quantity of the substance to be dispensed,

the lower end of said tube being open for the discharge of its contents, aplane surface'over which the discharge end of said tube is caused to move whereby said surface seals said tube against the protrusion `of its contents, said surface being provided with an aperture, means whereby when the discharge end'of said tube registers with said aperture the contents of said tube will be protruded from said container be ond the plane of said surface and a fixed nife edge intercepting the path of the protruding substance in said aperture whereby the next subsequent movement of said tube causes the protruding substance to besliced off to forma portion.

12. In a portioning machine, the combi-vnation of a dispensing tube adapted to contain a quantity of the substance to be dispensed, the lower end of said tube being open for the discharge of its contents, a plane surface over which the discharge end vof said tube is caused to move wherebyv said surface seals said tube against the protrusion of its contents, said surface being provided with an aperture, means whereby'when the discharge end of said tube registers with said aperture the contents of said tube will be protruded from said container beyond the plane of said surface, means for limiting the protrusion of said substance in said aperture, and a fixed knife edge intercepting the path of the protruding substance whereby the'next subsequent movement of said tube causes the protruding substance to be sliced of to'formva portion.

-13. In a portioning machine, the combination of a plurality of dispensing containtravel during the movement of said containers whereby said openings'are sealed against the protrusion of Said substanceI from .said

containers, said surface being provided with an aperture in the path of said discharge openings, means whereby when a discharge' opening registers with said aperture the ers adapted to contain quantities of the subin unison, each of said containers being provided with a discharge opening, a plane surface in contact with w ich said openings travel during the movement of said containers whereby said openings are sealed against the protrusion of said substance from said containers, said surface being provided with an aperture in the path 'of said discharge openings, means whereby when a discharge opening registers with said .aperture the contents of the corresponding container is protruded through said aperture, means for limiting said protrusion, and means operated by the next'subsequent movement ot said container for slicing od the protruding substance to form a portion. l

15. Ina portioning machine, the combination of a plurality of dispensing -containers adapted to contain4 quantities of the substance to be portioned and mounted to move in unison, each `of said containers being provided with a discharge opening, a plane' surface in contact-with which 'said openings.

travel during the movement of said containers whereby said openings are sealed against the protrusion of said substance from said containers, said' 'surface being provided with anaperture in the path of said discharge openings, means whereby when a discharge opening registers with saidaperture the contents lof the corresponding container is protruded through said aperture, and a knife edge intercepting-the path of the protruding substance whereby the next subsequent movement of said container causes the protruding substance 'to be sliced oft' to form a portion.

16. lin a tion of a p urali'ty of dispensing containers adapted to contain quantities of the substance to be portioned and mounted to move in unison, each of said containers being provided with a discharge opening, a plane surface in contact with which said openings travel during the movement of said containers whereby said openings are sealed against i the protrusion of said substance from said containers,-said surface being provided with an aperture in the path of said discharge openings, means whereby when a discharge opening registers with said aperture the contents of the corresponding container is protruded through said aperture, means for limiting such protrusion, and a knife edge intercepting the path of the protruding substance whereby the next subsequent moveortioning machine, the combinament of said container causes the protruding substance to be sliced'of to form a portion.

17. In a portioning machine, the combination of a plurality of dispensin tubes adapted to. contain 'quantities of the substance to be portioned, said tubes being mounted to move in unison, a plane surface over which the discharger ends of said tubes travel whereby said tubes are sealed against the discharge of their contents, said surface being provided with an aperture in the path of said discharge ends, means whereby when the discharge end of a tube registers with said aperture. the contents of said tube is caused to protrude through said aperture, and means operated by the'next. subsequent movement of said tube for slicing ofi said protruding substance to form a I ortion.

18. ln a portioning machine, t e combination of a plurality of dispensing tubes adapted to contain quantities of the substance to be portioned, said tubes being mounted to move in unison, a plane Surface over which the discharge'ends of said tubes travel whereby said tubes are sealed against the discharge of their contents, said surface being provided with an aperture in the path of said discharge ends, means whereby when the discharge end of a tube registers with said aperture the contents of said tube is caused to protrude through said aperture, means for limiting the protrusion of said substance, and means operated by the next subsequent movement of said tube for slicing olf the protruding substance to form a portion.

19. In a portioning machine, the combination of a plurality of dispensing tubes adapted to'contain quantities of the substance to be portioned, said tubes being mounted to move in unison, a plane surface over which the discharge ends of said tubes travel whereby said tubes are sealed against the discharge of their contents, said surface being provided with an aperture in the path of said discharge ends, means whereby when the discharge end of a tube registers with said aperture the contents of said tube is caused to protrude through said aperture,

andE 4a knife edge intercepting the path of the protruding substance vwhereby the next subsequent movement of said tube causes the protruding substance'to be sliced Aod to form a portion.

20. ln a portioning machine, the combina-4 said aperture the contents of said tube is caused to protrude through said aperture, means for limitin the protrusion of said tube, and a knife e ge intercepting lthe path sealed against Athe discharge of their con tents, said surface being rovided with an aperture, means whereby w en the discharge end of a tube registers with said aperture the end of the slab contained in said tube is caused to protrude through said aperture, and means operated by the next subse uent movement of said tube for slicing o the protruding end of the slab to form a portion.

22. In a portioning machine, the combination lof a plurality of dispensing tubes mounted to be rotated in unison about a common center, and each adapted to contain a slab of the substance to be portioned, a plane vsurface over which the discharge ends of said tubes travel whereby said tubes are sealed against the discharge of their vcontents, said surface being provided with an aperture, means whereby when the discharge end of a tube registers with said aperture the end of the slab contained "in saidl tube iscaused to protrude through said aperture, means for limiting said protrusion to determine the thickness of the portion, and means o erated by the next subsequent movement of said tube for slicing voff the protruding end of the slab to sever the portion.

23, Ina portioning machine, the combination of .a plurality of dispensing tubes .mounted tobe rotated in unison about a `common center, and each adapted to contain a slab of the substance to be portioned, a plane surface over which the discharge ends of said tubes travel whereby said tubes are sealed against the discharge of their contents, said surface being provided with an aperture, means whereby when the discharge end of a tube registers with said aperture the end of the slab contained in said tube is caused to protrude through said aperture, and a knife edge in the plane of said surface intercepting the path of said protruding end whereby the next subsequent movement of the tube causes said protruding end te be sliced o" to form a portion. y

24. In a lportioning machine, thecombmation of a plurality of dispensing tubes mounted to beA rotated in unison about a common center, and each adapted to contain a slab 0f the Substance to be portioned, a

' said tu plane surface over which the discharge ends of said tubes travel .whereby said tubes are sealed against thedischarge of their contents, said surface being provided with an aperture,means whereby when the discharge end of a tube registers with said aperture the end of the slab contained in said tube is caused to protrude through said aperture, means for limiting said protrusion to determine the thickness of the portion, and a knife edge in the plane of said surface intercepting the path of thel protruding end whereby the next subsequent movement of the tube causes the protruding end of the slab to be sliced off to form the portion.

25. In a portioning machine, a plurality of dispensing tubes mounted to rotate in unison about a -common center, and each adapted to contain a slab of the product to be dispensed, a plane surface over which the discharge ends of said tubes travel whereby said Atubes are sealed against the discharge of their contents, said surface being provided with anaperture in the path of said discharge ends, means whereby when the discharge end of a tube registers with said aperture, its slab vdrops down so that the end of said slab protrudes through said aperture, means adjacent to the front end of said aperture to limit the descent of said slab, and a knife ed e interceptin the path of the protruding s ab whereby uring the next su sequent movement of said tubes the protruding end of said slab is sliced off to form a portion.

26. In a portioning machine, a plurality of dispensing Atubes mounted to rotate in unison about a common center, and each adapted to cont-ain a slab of the product to be dlspensed, a plane surface over which the discharge ends of said tubes travel whereby sald tubes are sealed against the discharge of their contents, said Surface being providedwith an aperture in the path of said discharge ends, means whereby when the discharge .end of a tube registers with said aperture, its slab drops down so that the end of said slab protrudes through said. aperture, a spacing shelf adjacent to the front end of said aperture to limit the descent of the slab, and a knife edge intercepting the path of the protrudng slab whereby during the next subsequent movement of said tubes, said cutting :edge is caused to slice through the protruding end of the slab to form a portion.

27. In aportioning machine, a -plurality ofl dispensing tubes mounted to rotate in unison about a common center, and each adapted to cont-ain a slab'of the product to be dispensed, a plane surface over which the discharge ends -of'said tubes travel whereby es are sealed against the discharge of their contents, said surface being provided with an aperture, in thepath of said 'movement of said tubes for slicing od the protruding end of said slab to form a\por tion, and means for rotating said tubes 1n termittently in the proper' direction.

28. In a portioning machine, a plurality of dispensing tubes mounted to rotate in unison about a common center, and each adapted to contain a slab of the product to be dispensed, a plane surface over which the discharge ends of said tubes travel whereby said tubes are sealed against the discharge of their contents, said surface being provided with an aperture in the path of said discharge ends, whereby when the discharge end of a tube registers with said aperture, its slab drops down, means operated by the movement of Said tubes for slicing off the protruding end of said slab to form a portion, means for rotating said tubes intermittently in the proper direction, and means for preventing the reverse rotation of said tubes.

29. In a portioning machine, a plurality of dispensing tubes mounted to rotate in unison about a common center, and each adapted to contain a slab of the product to be dispensed, a plane surface over which the discharge ends of said tubes travel whereby said tubes are sealed against the discharge of their contents, said surface being provided with an aperture in the path of said discharge ends, whereby when the discharge end of a tube registers with said aperture, its slab drops down, means adjacent to the front end of said aperture to limit the descent of said slab, a knife edge intercepting the path of the protruding slab 0whereby during the next movement of said tubes the protruding end of said slab is sliced on' to form a portion, means for rotating said tubes intermittently in l,the proper direction, and'means whereby a rotary movement imparted to said tubes must be completed before a subsequent rotary movement can be begun.

30. In a portioning machine, a plurality ofdispensing tubes mounted to rotatein unison about a common center, and each adapted to contain a slab of the product to be dispensed, a plane surface over which the discharge ends of said tubes travel whereby said tubes are sealed against the discharge of their contents, said surface bei ing provided with an aperture in the path of said discharge ends whereby when the discharge end of a tube registers with said aperture, its slab drops down, means adjacent to the front end of said aperture to limit the descent of said slab, a knife edge intercepting the path of the protruding slab whereby during thenext movement of said tubes the protruding end'of the slab is sliced o to form a portion, means for rotating said tubes intermittently in the proper direction, and means for preventing the reverse rotation of said tubes.

31. In a portioning machine, the combination of a plurality of dispensing containers, each adapted to contain a uantity' of the substance to be portioned an each provided with a discharge opening, a plane surface, means for moving said containers in unison in contact with said plane surface whereby said discharge openings are sealed against the protrusion of the contents of said containers, said surface being provided with an aperture, means whereby when one of said discharge openings registers with said aperture the contents of said container is protruded through said aperture, and a knife edge interceptlng the path of said protruding substance, whereby the next subsequent movement of said container ca uses said protruding substance to be sliced off to form a portion while the .container resumes contact with said plane surface to hold the remainder of its contents retracted within said container.

32. In a portioning machine, the combination of a plurality of dispensing containers, each adopted to contain a quantity of the substance to be portioned and each provided with. a discharge opening, a plane surface, means for mov1ng said containers in unison in contact with said plane surface whereby said discharge openings are sealed a ainst the protrusion of the contents of sai containers, said surface being provided with an aperture, means whereby when one of said discharge openings register with said aperture the contents of said container is protruded through said aperture, means for limiting such protrusion, and a knife edge intercepting the path of said protruding substance whereby the next subsequent movement of said container causes said protruding substance to be sliced off to form a portion while the container resumes contact with said plane surface to hold the remainder of its contents retracted within said container.

33. In a portioningmachine the combination of an outer casing having a horizontal plane surface, a refrigerant tank rotatably mounted in said casing, a plurality of dispensing tubes mounted in a vertical position about said tank and. having their lower ends sealed by said plane surface, said plane surface being rovided with an aperture in the path of said tubes, means whereby when one of said tubes is brought into registration with said aperture by the rotation of said tank, the slab of substance to be. dispensed contained in said tube drops down so that its end protrudes through said aperture, means for limiting the protrusion of said slab, and means loperated. by the further next subsequent movement of said tank whereby the protruding end of said slab is sliced off to form a portion while the lower end of said tube containing the shortened butt of said slab passes once inore into sealing contact with said plane surface.

34. In a portioning machine, the combination of an outer casing having a horizontal' plane surface, a refrigerant tank rotatably lmounted in said casing, a plurality of dispensing tubes mounted in a vertical position about said tank and having their lower ends sealed by said plane surface, said plane surface being provided with an'aperture in the path -of said tubes, means whereby when one of said tubes is brought into registration with said aperture by the rotation of said tank, the slab of substance to be dispensed contained in said tubes drops down so that its end protrudes through said aperture,means for limiting the protrusion of said slab, and a knife edge intercepting the path of the protruding end of said slab whereby the next subsequent movement of said tank causes said knife edge to sever said protruding end to form a portion while the lower end of said tube containing the shortened butt of said slab passes into sealing contact with said plane surface once more.

Signed at Pittsburgh, Pa., this 22nd day of November, 1919.

JOHN F. WNELAND. 

